Media Contacts

Jill Hunt

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
778 676-4460

Darcy Smith

B.C. Land Matching Program Manager
Young Agrarians
778 960-2018

Backgrounders

Facts about the B.C. Land Matching Program
  • The B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP) is delivered by Young Agrarians. It provides personalized support services to new, young and established farmers and landholders to help them better understand regulations, evaluate opportunities, access resources and find a land-match partner.
  • Since launching in 2016, the BCLMP has supported 109 matches, with approximately 2,392 hectares (5,910 acres) brought into or maintained in agricultural production.
  • Matches range in size, from less than 0.4 hectares to thousands of hectares of farmland.
  • 90% of the matches arranged through the program are in regions with high real estate prices, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan.
  • The total number of matches (109) made in regions throughout B.C. include:
    • Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley: 33
    • Vancouver Island: 33
    • Okanagan: 26
    • Columbia Basin: seven
    • central and northern B.C.: 10
  • The new businesses are farming a range of agricultural products, including mixed vegetables, sheep, goats, cattle, grain, hay, flowers, berries, eggs, tree fruits, buffalo dairy, honey, medicinal herbs, mushrooms and more.